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Kind Hart lends a hand

BREATHER: Joe Hart at Hazel Grove High School
IN his day job he hates to see the opposition creating chances but when it comes to charity, Joe Hart cannot get enough of giving people a hand.

As part of a nationwide scheme backed by the Premier League, the City and England goalkeeper tackled the wind and rain to coach Stockport schoolchildren and young people with disabilities at Hazel Grove High School.

And he launched a new partnership between Stockport council and the Blues award-winning charity City in the Community (CITC) that will see coaches deliver drugs awareness, healthy living and environmental awareness sessions as well as football coaching for young people with disabilities, ranging from Cerebral Palsy to severe learning disabilities.

More than 1,500 Stockport pupils will benefit over the next year and a smiling Hart - despite being beaten time after time in a penalty shoot out - was thrilled with the response to the scheme and the enthusiasm of his new teammates.

"It is great to come to things like this, it is just so rewarding to see the smiles and the enjoyment they get out of playing football," he grinned.

"It is a game anyone can play. It has a universal language and the ability to bring all kinds of groups of people together.

"It doesn't matter whether football is played in front of 100,000 people in a stadium or on an Astroturf pitch in Stockport; the joy it brings is much the same. As for coming here, it is great to put something back into the community."

Hart will be hoping for a similar happy scenario at Hull this weekend when the Blues hope to snap a three-game losing streak in the Premier League and dim the spotlight on Mark Hughes' leadership.

The keeper is convinced that the defeat to Spurs with nine men last Sunday can be a springboard to better results.

"It is so easy to say we have been unlucky recently, and I think we have, but we need to start posting results," he said.

Winning

"Good performances have to be converted into winning performances. We thought that while it was 11 versus 11 against Spurs we were the better team and even when we had 10 players we all dug in and worked for each other and that is what we have to continue to do.

"You cannot dwell on what has happened but we need to take that spirit and togetherness to the KC Stadium."

There will be some new fans cheering Hart on against the Tigers after his deeds this week and he certainly got the vote of everyone at Hazel Grove High including Coun Dave Goddard, Leader of Stockport council.

"Joe is an inspiration to young people and we're delighted that he and other City personnel will show Stockport children and young people what can be achieved through dedication, team work, ambition and awareness," he said.

"I want every child in Stockport to be able to make the most of themselves and to succeed in their own chosen area. It really helps to see the stars in action, and Joe is certainly a star."

Another City goalkeeping great, Alex Williams MBE, stood in for Hart when, much to the kids glee, he got tired of picking the ball out of the net.

Williams was present as the boss of CITC and heaped praise on the partnership between club and Stockport community.

"This particular group is three special needs schools that have come together for an activity which we have organised. It forms a big part of our educational programme in Stockport," he explained.

"It is great to see the kids' positive reaction to seeing Joe and it is great for him to give a little bit back. This is the side of what Premier League players' do that isn't always publicised and they are all willing to go out and do their bit.

"Football is a game for everyone and through our community scheme we make sure that everyone has the opportunity to participate.

"The disability programme caters for all needs so everyone can join and have fun."

The disability football programme is for pupils aged 7-11, and those of secondary school age with special needs.

It is part of the council's drive to provide quality and sustainable opportunities for children and young people to take part in sport and physical activity.

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Well done Joe.

Dont be a bum, ignore the Scum.

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Nice article, encouraging to see more and more players putting something back into society. Well done Joe, well done MEN for bothering to publish

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Nice one Joe, well done lad.

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ALL HART,WELL DONE THAT MAN.

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Alex Williams is simply a fantastic lad. He has driven City right to the forefront in these types of initiatives. I know many clubs have done things down the years, but City are really lucky to have Alex on board. Well done City.

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It's great to see City leading the way with such charity events and it makes me really proud to be a blue.

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Nice to see players putting something back.

It's good to see articles like this but there are a great many more that just don't seem to make the news. Pity that they aren't all printed so we could see that not all players are just interested in increasing their contracts.

CTID and beyond.

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I wish he'd use those same hands to stop some of the goals he's been letting in this season. I was expecting more from Joe to be honest.

If we had a top class keeper like Buffon I don't think we'd be sitting anywhere near where we are at the moment.

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What a disgrace that Stockport council go to a club outside the borough to organise this event. City may be the closest Premiership side to the town but within Stockport County is a wonderful 'football in the community' set up which reaches out to local schools and organisations. Obviously some City fan on the council has pushed this through, the council should hang its head in shame.

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